Netgear
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Netgear is currently viewed with significant dissatisfaction by Reddit users, particularly within the Orbi mesh networking community. The brand is frequently criticized for high hardware costs paired with what users describe as unstable firmware, an outdated web interface, and a customer support model that many find inaccessible or unhelpful after the initial purchase.
Pros
- Hardware is capable of delivering strong and fast Wi-Fi speeds when functioning correctly
- Offers high-end specifications such as 2.5GbE WAN/LAN on premium models
Cons
- Customer service is widely described as dreadful, with long wait times and unhelpful troubleshooting steps
- Firmware and software are frequently reported as buggy, unstable, or abandoned for older hardware
- High initial purchase prices are often compounded by additional subscription fees for ongoing support
- Web management interface is criticized for being outdated and largely unchanged for years
- Slow response times for critical bug fixes and security patches
Caveats
- Some users reported needing to file formal complaints (e.g., with the BBB) to receive refunds for defective units
- Technical support logs may not be retained after a system crash, making it difficult for the company to diagnose hardware failures
- Certain older firmware versions may have expired root certificates, limiting browser compatibility
Best for
- Users who prioritize raw hardware performance and are comfortable with self-guided troubleshooting
Avoid if
- You require reliable, long-term customer support without additional fees
- You prefer a modern, frequently updated software ecosystem
- You are looking for a 'set it and forget it' experience with stable firmware
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 18-month half-life. The evidence is drawn from a 12-month window in 2025 with a median age of approximately 294 days, reflecting a consistent and highly negative sentiment across the selected period.
Sentiment
0 positive (0%) · 2 mixed (3%) · 59 negative (97%)
Trust + time weighted score: -97% · raw score -97%
What redditors said (10 of 61)
If you are going to actually do an upgrade, I wouldn't recommend a netgear product for your setup. It would probably work, but again if you are going to be spending some money and trying to add some level of stability or management, then look at something else.
Still they have yet to address the IPv6 problem on this model. Great work netgear.
Once you return it, you'll realize how ignorant anyone has to be to buy this brand, and you'll finally understand how useless and garbage their 'dedicated backhaul'—which they're so proud of—really is. ... Because even with a wired backhaul, this brand is garbage—they refuse to release UNII-3 no matter what country you're in, purely because their engineers are too lazy and cut corners for convenience.
And their firmware updates from the engineers are pure garbage, not optimizations. What problems do they even solve? Brainless. Every single patch just fixes basic things that should've been there, and every update is absolute garbage. Their engineers fundamentally lack basic common sense. This product is just an interference-heavy, noise-polluting piece of trash.
Getting support has been extremely difficult. I work from 8am to 8pm, which puts me outside the operating hours of the local support line. I have previously taken a full day off work just to troubleshoot the system. I have repeatedly asked whether someone could visit and inspect it, but the local office now says that they do not have a technician.
The moment it breaks, I'm just going to throw it in the trash and will never buy from this brand ever again. The craziest thing is that even with a wired backhaul, they still lock UNII-3 exclusively for the dedicated backhaul and refuse to release it to users so we can avoid interference.
This brand is absolute garbage. I feel that people with knowledge should seriously consider joining together to sue this brand. There are fundamental issues, and it constantly interferes with surrounding networks.
This brand is absolute garbage. I feel that people with knowledge should seriously consider joining together to sue this brand. There are fundamental issues, and it constantly interferes with surrounding networks.
Would not recommend another Netgear. I’m buying Ubiquiti next time. Great customer service - hey, your router’s bricked though our firmware update, best we fleece you a second time, here’s 20% off to help dull the pain.
Same here, never buying again from them